Photon energy-dependent timing jitter and spectrum resolution research based on time-resolved SNSPDs

Area of Science:

• Quantum optics
• Solid-state physics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) offer exceptional timing jitter performance.
• The fundamental physical mechanisms governing SNSPD timing jitter remain incompletely understood.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for optimizing SNSPD performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the timing jitter of SNSPDs across visible to near-infrared wavelengths.
• Explore the influence of bias current and temperature on timing jitter.
• Develop a physical model to elucidate the electrothermal dynamics of photon detection.

Main Methods:

• Experimental measurements of SNSPD timing jitter under varying excitation wavelengths, bias currents, and temperatures.
• Development of a 1D electrothermal model to simulate hotspot evolution and thermal diffusion.
• Validation of the model against experimental data.

Main Results:

• The study characterized SNSPD timing jitter as a function of excitation wavelength, bias current, and temperature.
• The electrothermal model accurately predicted experimental timing jitter.
• A novel time-resolved approach using the instrument response function (IRF) was demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• The physical model provides insights into factors affecting SNSPD timing jitter.
• Potential strategies for further jitter improvement were identified.
• The developed method allows for wavelength discrimination of incident photons with sub-80 nm resolution using SNSPDs.